Ancient Science for Thriving Modern Spaces (Part 3)

Vāstu is a complex, and at times, a seemingly esoteric science, but ultimately it always leads to stable objects in material form. These universal principles have been implemented in buildings on all continents and in all cultures, which have been radiating Vāstu energy for centuries after their creation.

Architecture is the zenithal achievement of Mathematics.” Brahmarishi Mayan

The Vastu scriptures focus almost exclusively on the construction of new buildings. The design of an object is created first in the creative center of the Creator, “the Architect.” The architect gives all structures a form. It is the same in Vastu. The Vastu consultant or Vastu architect begins well before the excavation of the building site with the design-creation of an energetic building. The Vastu consultant/architect defines the precise measures and prepares to bring the structure into perfect form.

Tasks of a Vāstu Consultant

Simply the good intention to create a perfect structure is not enough. Intention alone pales in concrete applicability when a massive structure takes shape and goes into its inherent vibration. Therefore it is important that the Vāstu consultant supervises a project from choosing the plot through the planning phase up to its final execution. For the sake of creating perfect execution of Vāstu from beginning to end, the Vāstu Consultant is ideally present in all major planning sessions and then as the structure rises, he measures, measures and again measures until he is as happy as a musician who tuned his instrument perfectly.

Wherever necessary, the consultant will step in and adjust whatever needs to be corrected to create the optimal Vāstu effect. Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, a Roman master-builder and founder of the European architecture explains the essence of the purpose and skill of the Vāstu Consultant:

“Those who have aimed at acquiring manual skill without scholarship have never been able to reach a position of authority corresponding to their pains, while those who have relied only upon theories and scholarship were obviously hunting the shadow, not the substance.

But those who have a thorough knowledge of both like men aimed at all points have the sooner attained their object and carried authority with them.”

Ideal moments in time

Cycles of time define the rhythm of our lives. Many practitioners of yoga or meditation know about the supportive influence of the early hours in the morning. The world is asleep. The daily distractions have not yet begun. The phone is silent and only the birds start chirping. Compared to the hectic daytime hours, this early morning time best suits the journey inward.

Also the four seasons bring about different qualities. In spring nature is waking up whereas in fall nature prepares for the winter sleep.

As the different times of day, as well as the different seasons, radiate different qualities, similarly, according to tradition, there are moments in time where the “quantum space” is most ripe for new beginnings. Of these there are eight short timeframes within one year.

A traditionally trained Vāstu consultant executes ceremonies such as ground breaking (Bhumi-Puja), laying of the foundation stone (Vāstu-Puja), placement of the door, and housewarming celebration (Grihapravesh). All these ceremonies serve to bless the project in every phase of construction.

A word on existing structures

Have you had the experience of being in a built space in which you feel completely comfortable and your well-being is supported? Yet, in other buildings, people are always sick and suffer one setback after another.

Despite the fact that Vastu texts aimed at perfect architecture and construction of newly established buildings, they still give us several tools with which we can analyze the Vastu compliance of an existing structure.

Here are some examples of Vāstu rectification techniques based on the basic principles of Vāstu (part 2 of this article):

If the slope of an existing object runs in the wrong direction, we can at least straighten the slope out right around the house. Or a pond in a wrong direction can be repositioned under certain circumstances. Adverse effects of ill-placed bodies of water can also be mitigated by a wall or a fence.

The measure of the mother wall (outer wall) should, according to Vāstu formulas, show favorable results and the center of the building should be free. In existing structures we apply only in very rare cases structural rectifications. In all other cases we restrict ourselves to opening the centre space and supporting the harmony of the space on the sound level by playing Vāstu music. In many houses there are several entrances, eg a main entrance and a side entrance or garage entrance. If any of these are in a module of the 9×9 grid that yields negative energies, in some cases the door can be relocated to a positive module.

The placement of bedrooms and the bed within the room is critical for good rest and harmony among residents. We can see if there might be a more appropriate bedroom location or bed placement within the room..

Vāstu rectification, while it cannot create a Vāstu dwelling, can identify and often remedy the major defects which will increase harmony for and among the inhabitants. It is important to clarify that it is impossible to turn a conventional house into a Vāstu house. However, Vāstu rectification can bring residents of conventional homes more Vāstu energy into their life. We do this by implementing Vāstu music, Vāstu mini temples and/or Vāstu temple cottages.

Temple cottages and temple sleep

The most powerful method of bringing residents of conventional homes Vāstu energy into their life is to build a small but perfect Vāstu Temple Cottage in the garden or on the plot.

A Vāstu Temple Cottage serves as a place for retreat, meditation, yoga practice, reading, singing, sleeping, socializing, healing and much more.

In the Ayurveda teaching, the temple cottage plays a crucial role: chronic diseases are reduced by “temple sleep” the extent that they are treatable with herbs and massages. The patient is sent to sleep for a certain number of nights at a nearby temple, where they benefit from the healing effects of the temple.

The precise measures, that which give the structure vibrant resonance, of a Vāstu Temple Cottage are calculated according to Ayadi formulas – the secret of Vāstu. Every single measure of the horizontal and the vertical planes of these small but extremely potent temples is precisely planned and implemented structurally. According to these formulas not only the ancient temples in India have been calculated, but also many temples, pyramids, palaces and houses in the rest of the world.

The Ayadi formulas are exactly matched to the date and time of birth of the owners/inhabitants, so that they have the highest specific resonance for the indwellers. Furthermore, Ayadi measures are chosen that show auspicious results for such qualities as high income, happiness, long life, and spiritual development. (There are 16 aspects of Ayadi in total.) A temple cottage supports all areas of our lives such as well-being, happiness, prosperity, health, success, relationships, and spiritual bliss, through its perfect measures and proportions.

By means of its perfect measure and proportions it will have a positive influence on all areas of ones life.

According to Vedic tradition, the Vāstu Mini Temples are made at one of the most powerful times of the year.

Examples

The science of Vāstu is described in detail in many traditional texts. Dr. Ganapati Sthapati has hundreds of these scriptures in his library. In addition to the deep science, the technical application also demands experience and detailed knowledge. But once such a Vāstu structure is precisely established, the object radiates with power and aliveness.

One example is a guest house located in the Kolli Hills, India. The clients, already aware of Vāstu principles, chose this wonderful east-sloping plot in the Kolli Hills, South India. They asked us to plan this beautiful guesthouse made of brick. As with any other structure we start with calculating the auspicious measure and proportions. After, the owners by their determination permitted a consistent implementation of all Vāstu principles, starting with the building orientation to the cardinal directions, locating all walls, doors and windows with considering auspicious measures, room functions in the appropriate directions, etc. In this project, we were able to give the center our special focus and have it open to the sky, as in traditional Indian homes, but also analog to Roman buildings. We not only provide the heart and soul of the house enough space, but also bring a lot of light in all the surrounding rooms.

And lo and behold, the guest house has attracted quite a lot of Indians but also Europeans, who were deeply impacted by the energy of the building and of course the beautiful nature in which this guest house is nessled.

Another example is a single-family house located in Wangen a.d.A., Switzerland.

This beautiful single-family house constructed from prefabricated wooden panels is an ideal example of a well-executed Vāstu project. The project was begun with the goal of creating the perfect Vāstu-effect allowing us to select the plot of land according to Vāstu principles. Accordingly, we considered the Vāstu principles fully, from a correct orientation of the house to the cardinal directions to auspicious measures and harmonious proportions, ideal door and window placements, an open center, and rooms in the appropriate quadrants. In Vāstu, we prefer a gable or hip roof, but the building code in the location permitted only a shed roof or a flat roof. In Vāstu, the non-symmetrical slope of the shed roof is not permissible. A flat roof is not ideal either, because it impedes the raising energy in the center. Therefore, for this home we placed a square cupola on top. The added benefit is the clients love the light that comes through the center of the house.

Here, a small bit of heaven on earth is manifested!

And the third example is a single-family house out of brick in Solothurn, Switzerland. Another example of modern Vāstu architecture is a brick house in Solothurn, Switzerland. The main entrance (the “mouth” of the house) was given, optically, a large amount of space. In order to create balance, we planned, a broad staircase which leads up to the main entrance. The entrance itself is supported on either side by a window to make it bright and welcoming.

In this case, the clients came to us from the initial planning phase. Accordingly, we were able to consider all the powerful laws of Vāstu, ranging from a parallel orientation of the house to the cardinal directions, auspicious measure and harmonious proportions, open central region, rooms in the corresponding quadrants to the elements, and ideal door and window placements.